Advancing
Updated: Aug 25, 2022
Philippians 3:14 “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
No one enjoys making mistakes. However, at times you will undoubtedly make a few. The thing about making mistakes is that they oftentimes prove costly causing your self-worth and self-esteem to plummet. Equally, there are many folks waiting to rejoice over your mistakes and if given the chance will use them as a strangle hold to choke out your very life.
During the recently concluded World Cup in Russia I read an interesting story concerning England’s national football manager, Gareth Southgate. The story was that during the UEFA Euro 1996 semi-finals against Germany he had his penalty kick saved by goalkeeper, Andreas Kopke. Three Lions (a hit song) subsequently become the anthem of England’s World Cup campaign, but Southgate revealed that such was the pain of his penalty shoot-out miss at Euro 96, when the song was first released, that he could not bear to listen to it again. According to him it was a miss that has haunted his thoughts for the past 21 years.
In practicality, the past is truly what its name suggest and nothing else, the past. Try as you may there’s absolutely nothing you can do to change anything you may or may not have done. The sooner you get over yesterday’s mistakes the better prepared you will be to face your todays and your tomorrows. We are never to take our past mistakes into the present as though they are our passport, visa and other travel documents for our overseas trip.
Whenever that is done we’re unable to appreciate any present joy and we look with trepidation to the future. My philosophy is that my worst days are always in the past. Conversely, my best days are yet to come. In order to lead a fulfilling life it’s best to evaluate past misgivings with the sole intent of formulating a success stratagem. Instead of saying “what if” it’s best to say “next time.”
The legendary Usain St. Leo Bolt, then 19 years old, pulled up injured in the finals of the 200m at the 2005 World Athletic Championships in Helsinki. He was harshly criticized by his fans after the race, many of whom questioned his mental resolve and commitment. Subsequently, Bolt received treatment for his injuries, switched coach and intensified his training and preparation.
Three years later at The 2008 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad and commonly known as Beijing 2008, Bolt won triple Olympic gold medals in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m all at world record times.
Had Bolt spent those three years (2005-2008) rehashing his misgivings of the past without taking the necessary steps to improve his preparation for the future he wouldn’t be the track and field legend he is today. By cultivating the right attitude and taking action when required you can advance in your pursuits of success.
